Three Chicago officers hurt when car flips over

A traffic accident involving Chicago police officers in the 7000 block of South Stony Island Avenue. (Eric Clark, for the Chicago Tribune)

Three Chicago police officers were injured when their car flipped over while swerving to avoid a stopped car on the South Side this morning, officials said.

The crash happened shortly before 11:30 a.m. near the 7000 block of South Stony Island Avenue, police said.

Three tactical officers were responding to a call when their car lost control while trying to avoid a car and it flipped over, according to Police Supt. Garry McCarthy.

The officers got an alert about a robbery in progress that later progressed to shots fired, said Police News Affairs spokeswoman Melissa Stratton. When the officers swerved to avoid another vehicle they crashed into two light poles, she said.

One of the officers, Jameka Sherrod, 30, has been with the police department for seven years. Officer D'Wayne McGee, 36, has been with the police force for eight years, and Officer Brian McVey, 35, has also been employed for eight years, Stratton said.

Officer Sherrod was award the Police Medal in 2010 for her service when she was able to free herself from a suspect aiming a gun to her head.

The officers were first listed in serious-to-critical condition. Two were taken to Northwestern Memorial Hospital and the other to Stroger Hospital, he said. Fire officials said their injuries were not life-threatening. As of 4:45 p.m., their conditions were stabilized.

All three officers are assigned to the Area Central Gang Enforcement Division.